CITY SIGHTS: Finding the science-art in New York area exhibitionsBy Julia Buntaine, Editor-in-Chief

"Lumen" by Jenny Sabin at MoMA PS1. Image courtesy of the author.

There's bacteria thriving in the Guggenheim. Bioluminescent yarn is stretching over MoMA PS1. Kinetic mushrooms inhabit Gagosian. There's a giant hydra in City Hall Park. It's official - science-based art has taken over New York City. ​

Science-based art has long been on the fringe, edging around art world conventions left over from the anti-science attitudes postmodernism engendered. But as science has become more present, more accessible, and more exciting (in part because there's simply more science), artists have been paying attention. Because after all, new discoveries in science enables the creation of new art - everything, indeed, has not already been done.

Are we reaching a critical mass of science-based art? All currently on view, the simultaneous presence of these exhibits is a strong indicator of the rising presence of science and technology in the main stream art world.

"Lumen" by Jenny Sabin at MoMA PS1. Image courtesy of the author.

Carsten Holler at Gagosian. Image courtesy of the author.

Carsten Holler at Gagosian. Image courtesy of the author.

"Earth Potential" by Katja Novitskova at City Hall Park. Image courtesy of the author.

"Earth Potential" by Katja Novitskova at City Hall Park. Image courtesy of the author.

"Earth Potential" by Katja Novitskova at City Hall Park. Image courtesy of the author.

"Life is Cheap" by Anika Yi at the Guggenheim. Image courtesy of the author.

"Life is Cheap" by Anika Yi at the Guggenheim. Image courtesy of the author.